Time Out
by Mariah Burton Nelson 

I wasn't planning to mention my recent hysterectomy (a word made hilarious by Kathy Bates in "About Schmidt,") but during the six weeks I spent recovering (the July issue of Two Points was cleverly written in advance), I appreciated the break from work and thought about the relationship between "time-outs" and success.

"I so enjoyed reading and relaxing in my recliner, I think I'll have an annual hysterectomy!" I announced to my friend Willie.

"That's called a vacation, Mariah," she reminded me.

Oh. That will certainly simplify the process next year.

But even beyond vacations, don't we all need more time off? Ask someone "How are you?" and you're likely to hear, "crazed," "crazy," "busy," "stressed," "anxious," "tired," "worn out," "burned out" or "sick."

When you're a kid, the coach calls "time-outs" -- which give players a chance to rest, reflect, and plan for what happens next. As grownups, we have to coach ourselves, deciding when we need a few minutes -- or weeks -- to rest, reflect, and plan.

Here's one way to integrate "time-outs" into your daily life: Choose a time (mine is 6 pm) that signals "End of the Workday," and stop working then. Do not read email or return business calls after that time. Leave the office. Focus on activities that restore and renew your energy, so you can feel good and productive the next morning.

I know: You're too busy. You're essential to the success of the team. You feel pressured to stay in the game "24/7." When I recommended "Daily Time-Outs" to a professional audience in June, I watched people get very still, the way we do when something strikes us as scary or profound. "Are you saying we should not even check voice mail until the next morning?" someone asked later, incredulous.

Unless you're a physician on call: Yes.

Just a suggestion, a goal to shoot for. Your creative and caring coach, if you had one, would find many other times each day to whistle you off the court, giving you space to breathe, stretch, and relax. You would welcome this break in the game. You would sit down, relax, get a new perspective. You might even say, "Thanks, Coach. I needed that."

Point #1:

Vacations are not enough. We also need daily opportunities to rest, reflect, and renew our energy.

Point #2:

If you don't coach yourself each day, who will?

"A Hysterectomy Journal" (Washington Post)

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